Super Rugby: Crusaders beat Brumbies 20-13 to go top of table
THE Crusaders have left the Brumbies’ Super Rugby finals hopes in tatters after scoring a grinding 21-8 victory at GIO Stadium.
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THE Crusaders have left the Brumbies’ Super Rugby finals hopes in tatters after scoring a grinding 21-8 victory at GIO Stadium.
It was nowhere near the one sided affair many had predicted for Saturday night when experienced stars David Pocock and Christian Lealiifano were ruled out for the Canberra team.
But the Christchurch based franchise secured their seventh win of the season with a dominant 15 minute period in the first half, converting two tries when Brumbies winger Chance Peni was in the sin bin.
Peni was shown a yellow card for a high hit on Israel Dagg in the 21st minute when the Crusaders were clinging to a 7-5 lead.
Dagg’s replacement, Manasa Mataele, ended up being the man to sink the home team, having an immediate impact by running over for two tries in only five minutes to blow the advantage out to 16 points.
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The New Zealand conference leaders barely looked like scoring again after that but it mattered little as their defence reigned supreme and neither side added to the halftime score.
Despite dominating possession in the second half and having numerous opportunities to storm back into the match, the Brumbies couldn’t get through the Crusaders’ brick wall.
Even when key pair Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett were in the sin bin at the same time, the Brumbies were unable to capitalise on the Crusaders being two men down.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was thrilled his team was able to win an eighth straight game against the Brumbies, having not lost to their trans Tasman rival since 2009.
“We were playing rugby league there for a while with 13 but we still found a way,” Robertson said in his post match media conference.
“You’ve got to give it to the Brumbies. They’re tough and physical.”
Dagg will be in doubt for coming weeks after failing his head injury assessment as well as tweaking his knee in the same incident with Peni.
The Brumbies stormed out of the blocks with a sensational try by Henry Speight in the corner in the second minute but home crowd hopes were wiped out when outside centre Tim Bateman scored for the Crusaders in the 17th minute.
The result ensured New Zealand Super Rugby teams’ stranglehold over their Australian opponents extended to 36 straight victories since May 2016.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was proud of his team’s effort but lamented the inability to convert good opportunities.
“There’s a bit of frustration but our attitude, intent and effort were there,” McKellar said.
“Unfortunately when you’re playing the best (provincial team) in the world, effort and attitude doesn’t always win you the game.”
CRUSADERS 21 (Manasa Mataele 2, Tim Bateman tries; Mike Delany 3 con) BRUMBIES 8 (Henry Speight try; Wharenui Hawera pen)
Originally published as Super Rugby: Crusaders beat Brumbies 20-13 to go top of table
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